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Beautician for Patients with Haematological Conditions

Money raised by the CALLM Charitable Fund at Manchester Royal
Infirmary has funded a greatly received beautician for the patients
of Ward 44. The department treats patients referred from across the
North West and beyond for a wide range of haematological
malignancies and is a regional Bone Marrow Transplant centre.

CALLM, standing for Caring for Adults with Leukaemia, Lymphoma
and Myeloma was set up in October 2010 to provide the added extras
which would make patient's time in hospital a little more bearable.
Each month a committee of staff and patients meet to discuss how
money raised through various fundraising ventures should be
spent.

Following a patient survey, it was decided that some of the
charitable funds would pay for the materials to enable a volunteer
beautician to pamper patients once a week. Now Anita Green, a
retired district nurse herself, spends half a day with inpatients,
with the remainder of the time with those visiting the outpatient
clinic for treatment.

Visiting around 16 patients each week she provides manicures and
pedicures, as well as hand massages to both male and female
patients. Anita's services are incredibly well received, not only
by patients but also by the partners and carers of those treated by
Ward 44, enabling them to feel valued along with those they are
supporting.

One patient who has been enjoying the benefits of this is Alison
Harvey from Northenden, South Manchester. Alison has been on Ward
44 for over 6 weeks, following a bone marrow transplant and has
been enjoying a weekly pampering session courtesy of Anita.

Alison Harvey said:

"Getting my nails done is a bit of a treat and it gives me a
sense of normality. If nothing else it relieves the boredom of
being on the ward all day, every day. Having Anita visit is a new
person to chat with, away from the usual medical conversations.
It's also something different to talk to my family and friends
about when they visit."

"For some of the ladies having their nails done helps them feel
a bit more like themselves again. Due to the nature of their
medical treatments their nails can be left damaged and weakened. I
work with them to help remedy this. It also helps to bring back
their confidence, it boosts their self-esteem but it also acts as a
release from the emotional trauma their conditions can cause."

"The treatments that our patients receive are intense and can
affect quality of life for a prolonged period. Employing a
beautician goes some way to putting the human element back into
their journey. A simple hand massage and nail treatment can have a
positive impact on our patients during a very uncertain phase of
their life.

"Anita started in this position 8 weeks ago and so far the
demand has been phenomenal."

Haematology inpatients are treated on Ward 44. There is a day
unit for procedures and treatments such as transfusions,
chemotherapy, and apheresis. Specialist clinics are held in the day
unit.

Manchester Royal Infirmary Hospital Charity is raising money to
ensure continued excellence in treatment, care and research at the
hospital - improving the lives of thousands of patients each year
across the North West and beyond.

The support of the charity means that the hospital can provide
additional resources that make life easier for patients and their
families who use the hospital.

The charity has three main areas of work:

to support research projects to improve our understanding
of illnesses